“Loving husband, father, son, brother, and deacon.”

Deacon Stephen Lawrence Savarese, 61, unexpectedly entered into the Gates of Heaven on Wednesday, August 11. He was a devoted, loving husband to Margaret A. Somervell Savarese.

Stephen was born on June 4, 1960, in South Bend, Ind., son of Dr Edgar C. and Judith (Damon) Savarese of West Windsor, Vt. He was a proud graduate of Holy Cross High School Class of 1978. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, class of 1982, in South Bend, Ind., and his Juris Doctorate from American University, class of 1985, in Washington, DC. Stephen has practiced law in Middlebury and Newtown for more than 35 years. He was Middlebury Town Attorney from 2003 to 2011. Stephen lived out his calling to serve others through his professional work as an attorney. His devotion to his clients mirrored his devotion to family, friends, and his faith community. Stephen was an active parishioner and deacon for St John of the Cross Church since 1971. He was ordained to the Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Hartford in June 2012 and celebrated his ninth anniversary as a deacon this year. He was excited about the new merge of the Roman Catholic parishes St John of the Cross with Sacred Heart of Southbury, the church of Midd South Catholic, and found great fulfillment in his service as a deacon to both communities.

Stephen had fond memories of his childhood, especially the years he spent growing up in Italy. These formative years shaped his life and sparked his passion for traveling. He studied abroad in Angers, France, for a year through the SUNDEF program at the University of Notre Dame. He was proud of his Italian and Irish heritage; one of his fondest memories is his when he was able to return to Italy to visit family with his wife and children. Stephen also had a passion for music. In his early married years, he was a member of the Valley Chordsmen. Other organizations he was proud to be a member of were the Newtown Jaycees, Middlebury Conservation Commission, and nine years of service with the Newtown Ambulance Association. Stephen was a member of the Knights of Columbus Father Loftus Council 3992. He was honored to serve as Grand Knight from 2000 to 2002. Stephen’s favorite hobby was to sail his sunfish at the Middlebury Recreation Area, which he did every summer since he was 15 years old. His biggest joy was his family. He had recently celebrated 34 years of marriage and was beyond proud of his children.

Besides his beloved wife, Margaret, and parents, he leaves to honor and cherish his memory his children, William Lawrence Savarese, of Dallas, Texas, and Annmarie Flynn Savarese and Elizabeth King Savarese, both of Middlebury; his siblings, Kathleen S. Mucci and her husband, Enzo, of Southbury, Dr Michael D. Savarese and his wife, Kathleen, of Roxbury, and Carolyn S. Mucci of Middlebury; his mother-in-law, Margaret Ann Somervell; nieces, Maria Mucci and Sofia Mucci; nephews, Patrick Savarese, Lorenzo Mucci, Christian Mucci, and Dante Mucci; as well as beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, August 18, at 11 am, at Midd South Parish-St John of the Cross Campus, 1263 West Street, Middlebury. Burial will follow in Lake Elise Cemetery in Middlebury. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, from 4 to 8 pm, at the church and Wednesday, prior to Mass, from 9:30 to 10:45 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Deacon Stephen’s memory to Midd South Catholic, 1263 West Street, Middlebury CT 06762.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit chaseparkwaymemorial.com.